Pyrazole compounds having a thiochroman ring and pesticides containing such compounds

ABSTRACT

Pyrazole compounds of the formula (I) ##STR1## and the formula (XI), ##STR2## and the pyrazole compounds of the formula (I) exhibits selectivity to paddy rice and corn, and can control a wide range of paddy field and upland field weeds at a low dosage.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pyrazole derivative and a herbicide containing the same.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Herbicides are very important chemicals for the labor-saving in weed control work and for increasing the productivity for agricultural and horticultural products. Herbicides have been therefore actively studied and developed for many years, and a variety of chemicals are practically used at present. Even today, however, it is desired to develop novel chemicals having distinguished herbicidal properties, particularly chemicals which are free of toxicity to cultured crops and can control target weeds selectively in a low dosage.

During a growing period of corn, etc., a triazine-based herbicide such as atrazine and acid anilide-based herbicides such as alachlor and metolachlor have been conventionally used. However, atrazine shows low efficacy to gramineous weeds, and alachlor and metolachlor show low efficacy to broad-leaved weeds. It is therefore difficult at present to control gramineous weeds and broad-leaved weeds together with a single herbicide. Further, the above herbicides are undesirable in view of an environmental problem due to their high dosage requirement.

Further, it is known that a paddy field grows not only paddy rice but also various weeds including annual gramineous weeds such as barnyard grass, annual cyperaceous weeds such as umbrella plant, annual broad-leaved weeds such as monochoria and toothcup and perennial weeds such as Sagittaria pygmaea miquel, largeleaf pondweed, oriental waterplantain, bulrush, needle-upright clubrush, Cyperus serotinus rottboell, water chestnut, arrowhead and dropwort. It is very important for rice cultivation to effectively control these weeds without causing phytotoxicity to paddy rice and by spraying a chemical in a small dosage in view of environmental pollution. It is known that chemicals having high herbicidal activity to barnyard grass are generally liable to cause phytotoxicity to paddy rice, and it is an especially essential object remaining to achieve to develop a chemical which exhibit high herbicidal activity to barnyard grass which is gramineous weed and has excellent intergenus selectivity between paddy rice and barnyard grass.

Meanwhile, it is already known that specific 4-benzoylpyrazole derivatives have herbicidal activity (see JP-A-63-122672, JP-A-63-122673, JP-A-63-170365, JP-A-1-52759, JP-A-2-173 and JP-A-2-288866).

Typical examples of the 4-benzoylpyrazole derivatives (A) and (B) described in the above publications ((A); Compound No. 35 in JP-A-2-173, (B); Compound No. 1 in JP-A-63-122672) are as follows. ##STR3##

However, the 4-benzoylpyrazole derivatives which have been so far disclosed have herbicidal activity, but are insufficient in practical use. In particular, they are very inferior in herbicidal activity to gramineous weeds such as barnyard grass and green foxtail. Further, when used as a herbicide in a paddy field, the above chemicals may cause phytotoxicity to paddy rice since they have poor selectivity between paddy rice and gramineous weeds.

The present inventors have therefore proposed pyrazole derivatives having a thiochroman ring by already applying a patent (see PCT/JP93/00274; WO93/18031). Typical example C (Compound No. 66) of compounds described in the specification of the above patent application is as follows. ##STR4##

However, the above compound has high herbicidal activity to paddy rice, while its safety to paddy rice is not fully satisfactory.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and the object thereof is to provide a pyrazole derivative which is free of phytotoxicity to corn and paddy rice and can control a wide range of upland weeds and paddy field weeds, particularly barnyard grass in a paddy field, in a low dosage, and a herbicide containing the pyrazole derivative.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present inventors have made diligent studies to achieve the above object, and have found that a novel compound of the following general formula (I) shows selectivity to corn and paddy rice and can control a wide range of upland field and paddy field weeds in a low dosage, whereby the present invention has been completed.

Further, the present inventors have found that a pyrazole derivative of the following general formula (XI) is free of phytotoxicity to paddy rice and can control a wide range of upland field weeds and paddy field weeds, particularly barnyard grass and umbrella plant in a paddy field, in a low dosage, and have arrived at the completion of the present invention.

Therefore, the gist of the present invention consists in a pyrazole derivative of the general formula (I), ##STR5## and a pyrazole derivative of the general formula (XI). ##STR6##

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the step of producing the pyrazole derivative of the formula (I) provided by the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the step of producing the compound of the general formula (II).

FIG. 3 shows the step of producing the compound of the general formula (IV).

FIG. 4 shows the step of producing 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazole-4-carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide which is one of starting materials.

FIG. 5 shows the step of producing the pyrazole derivative of the formula (XI) provided by the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR WORKING THE INVENTION

The pyrazole derivative of the general formula (I) will be explained first.

In the general formula (I) for this pyrazole derivative, R¹ is a C₁ -C₆ alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl. The propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl may be linear, cyclic or branched. R¹ is preferably a C₁ -C ₄ alkyl group, more preferably methyl or ethyl.

Each of R², X¹ and X² is independently a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group. The C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, and the propyl and butyl may be linear, cyclic or branched. R², X¹ and X² are preferably methyl or ethyl.

R³ is hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group. The C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes those described concerning the above R ², X¹ and X². R³ is preferably hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen. The propyl and butyl may be linear or branched.

m shows the number of X² and is 0 or 1. When m is 1, the position on which X² is substituted is preferably the 8-position.

R⁴ is a C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl group or a group of ##STR7##

Specific examples of the C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl group as R⁴ include methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl. The propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl and decyl may be linear, cyclic or branched. R⁴ is preferably a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group.

In the group of ##STR8## as R⁴, Y is a halogen atom, nitro, a C₁ -C₄ alkoxy group or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group. The halogen atom includes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes those described concerning the above R². Y is preferably chlorine, fluorine, nitro, methyl or methoxy.

n shows the number of Y and is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3.

A¹ is ##STR9## in which each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group and p is 0 or an integer of 1 to 4. The C₁ -C₄ alkyl group as R⁵ and R⁶ includes those described concerning the above R², X¹ and X².

Further, the pyrazole derivative of the formula (I) includes geometrical isomers based on an alkoxyimino group as shown in the following formulae (Ia) and (Ib), and the pyrazole derivative of the present invention may be any one of these isomers and a mixture of these. When m=1, the substituent X² can bond to the 7-position or the 8-position, while it preferably bonds to the 8-position. ##STR10##

The pyrazole derivative of the general formula (XI) will be explained hereinafter.

In the formula (XI) for this pyrazole derivative, R¹¹ is a C₁ -C₆ alkyl group such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl or hexyl, and the propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl may be linear or branched. R¹¹ is preferably a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, more preferably methyl, ethyl or i-propyl.

Each of R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ is independently hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group. The C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, and the propyl and butyl may be linear or branched. R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴ and R¹⁵ are preferably hydrogen or methyl, more preferably hydrogen.

R¹⁶ is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, and specific examples thereof include those described concerning the above R¹² to R¹⁵. R¹⁶ is preferably methyl or ethyl.

R¹⁷ is hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, and the C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes those described concerning the above R¹² to R¹⁶. R¹⁷ is preferably hydrogen or methyl.

X³ is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group or a halogen atom. The former C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes those described concerning the above R¹² to R¹⁶. The latter halogen atom includes chlorine, bromine, iodine and fluorine. X³ is preferably a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, more preferably methyl.

p shows the number of X³, and is an integer of 0, 1 or 2. When p is 2, one of a plurality of X³ s may be the same as, or different from, the other. p is preferably 1 or 2, the substitution portion is preferably the 5-position, or the substitution portions are preferably the 5-position and the 8-position.

n shows the number of oxygen atoms bonding to sulfur atom, and is an integer of 0, 1 or 2. When n=0, a sulfide is represented. When n=1, a sulfoxide is represented. When n=2, a sulfone is represented. Preferred is n=2 (sulfone).

A² is at least one selected from ##STR11## and --CR¹⁸ R¹⁹.

In the above formulae for A², each of R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ is independently hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, and the C₁ -C₄ alkyl group includes those described concerning the above R¹² to R¹⁶. R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are preferably hydrogen.

Further, in A₂, k shows the number of methylene chains and is an integer of 0 to 3, preferably 0 or 1. When k=0, it means that no methylene chain exists and that A² is carbonyl.

B is one selected from a C₁ -C₁₂ alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group and a group of ##STR12##

In the formula for B, Y is hydrogen, a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, a C₁ -C₄ alkoxy group, a C₁ -C₄ haloalkyl group, nitro or a halogen atom, and m shows the number of Y and is an integer of 1 or 2.

When A² is ##STR13## k is preferably 0 or 1, and B is a C₁ -C₄, alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group or a halogen-substituted or halogen-nonsubstituted phenyl group.

When A² is --CR¹⁸ R¹⁹, R¹⁸ and R¹⁹ are preferably hydrogen, and B is a phenyl group. The pyrazole derivative of the general formula (XI) contains asymmetric carbons, and includes a variety of isomers, while the pyrazole derivative of the present invention includes all the isomers and a mixture of the isomers.

The herbicide of the present invention contains, as an active ingredient, at least one selected from the novel pyrazole derivative of the formula (I) provided by the present invention and the novel pyrazole derivative of the formula (XI) provided by the present invention. These compounds are used by mixing them with a liquid carrier such as a solvent or a solid carrier such as a mineral fine powder and preparing the resultant mixtures in the form of a wettable powder, an emulsifiable concentrate, a dust or granules. For imparting these compounds with emulsifiability, dispersibility or spreadability when the above preparations are formed, a surfactant may be added.

When the herbicide of the present invention is used in the form of a wettable powder, generally, 10 to 55% by weight of the pyrazole derivative of the present invention, 40 to 88% by weight of a solid carrier and 2 to 5% by weight of a surfactant are mixed to prepare a composition, and the composition can be used.

When the herbicide of the present invention is used in the form of an emulsifiable concentrate, generally, the emulsifiable concentrate can be prepared by mixing 20 to 50% by weight of the pyrazole derivative of the present invention, 35 to 75% by weight of a solvent and 5 to 15% by weight of a surfactant.

When the herbicide of the present invention is used in the form of a dust, generally, the dust can be prepared by mixing 1 to 15% by weight of the pyrazole derivative of the present invention, 80 to 97% by weight of a solid carrier and 2 to 5% by weight of a surfactant.

Further, when the herbicide of the present invention is used in the form of granules, the granules can be prepared by mixing 1 to 15% by weight of the pyrazole derivative of the present invention, 90 to 97% by weight of a sold carrier and 2 to 5% by weight of a surfactant.

The above solid carrier is selected from mineral powders, and examples of the mineral powders include oxides such as diatomaceous earth and slaked lime, phosphates such as apatite, sulfates such as gypsum and silicates such as talc, pyrophyllite, clay, kaolin, bentonite, acidic terra abla, white carbon, powdered quartz and powdered silica.

The solvent is selected from organic solvents, and specific examples of the solvent include aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene and xylene, chlorinated hydrocarbons such as o-chlorotoluene, trichloroethane and trichloroethylene, alcohols such as cyclohexanol, amyl alcohol and ethylene glycol, ketones such as isophorone, cyclohexanone and cyclohexenyl-cyclohexanone, ethers such as butyl cellosolve, diethyl ether and methyl ethyl ether, esters such as isopropyl acetate, benzyl acetate and methyl phthalate, amides such as dimethylformamide, and mixtures of these.

The surfactant is selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants (amino acid and betaine).

The herbicide of the present invention may contain, as an active ingredient, other herbicidally active component as required in addition to the pyrazole derivative of the general formula (I) and/or the pyriazole derivative of the general formula (XI). The "other" herbicidally active component includes conventionally known herbicides such as phenoxy-based, diphenyl ether-based, triazine-based, urea-based, carbamate-based, thiol carbamate-based, acid anilide-based, pyrazole-based, phosphoric acid-based, sulfonylurea-based and oxadiazone-based herbicides. The "other" herbicidally active component is properly selected from the above herbicides.

The herbicide of the present invention may be used as a mixture with a pesticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator, a fertilizer, etc.

The novel pyrazole derivative of the present invention can be produced by the method shown in FIG. 1 (in which X¹, X², R¹, R², R3, R⁴, m, n, p, A¹, R⁵ and R⁶ represent those which are already defined, and Hal is a halogen atom).

In this method, the molar ratio of the reaction reagent of the formula (III) to the starting material of the formula (II) is preferably 1:1 to 1:3. For collecting hydrogen halide formed as a byproduct by the reaction, it is preferred to use a base such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, triethylamine or pyridine in a molar amount equivalent to, or greater than, the amount of the starting material of the formula (II). The reaction temperature is preferably set at a temperature between room temperature and the boiling point of a solvent used. The solvent used for this reaction is selected from aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and toluene, ether solvents such as diethyl ether, and halogenated hydrocarbon solvents such as methylene chloride and chloroform.

Further, a two-phase solvent of the above solvent and water may be used. In this case, a favorable result can be obtained by adding a phase transfer catalyst such as crown ether or benzyl chloride triethylammonium to the reaction system.

The compound of the formula (II) used as a starting material in FIG. 1 can be produced by the method shown in FIG. 2.

That is, the compound of the formula (II) is produced by reacting a compound of the formula (IX) with a compound of the formula (IV) in an inert solvent in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (to be abbreviated as DCC hereinafter) and a base.

In this method, it is preferred to use the compound of the formula (IX) in an amount of 1.0 to 3.0 mol per mole of the compound of the formula (IV). DCC is used preferably in an amount of 1.0 to 1.5 mol per mole of the compound of the formula (IV). The base used together with DCC is not specially limited, while it is preferred to use potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate in an amount of 0.5 to 2.0 mol per mole of the compound of the formula (IV). The inert solvent is not specially limited if it is inert to the reaction, while tert-butyl alcohol, tert-amyl alcohol and isopropyl alcohol are preferred. The reaction temperature can be between room temperature and the boiling point of the solvent, while it is preferably a temperature between 50° and 100° C.

The pyrazole compound of the formula (IX) used as a reaction reagent in the above method can be produced, for example, by the method described in JP-A-61-257974.

Further, the compound of the formula (IV) used as a starting material in the method shown in FIG. 2 can be produced by the method shown in FIG. 3.

Thiochroman-4-ones of the formula (VIII) used as a starting material in FIG. 3 can be produced by a variety of methods, such as methods described in JP-A-58-198483, International Patent Publication WO088/06155 and Canadian Journal of Chemistry, Vol. 51, page 839 (1973).

In FIG. 3, the synthesis of an oxime (VI) by the conversion of a ketone (VIII) to an oxime is carried out by treating the ketone (VIII)with an alkoxyamine (VII) in water or an organic solvent (e.g., ethanol, methanol or acetic acid) in the presence of an acid catalyst (e.g., hydrochloric acid) or a basic catalyst (e.g., pyridine, aniline, sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate) at a temperature between 0° C. and the reflux temperature of the solvent (water or organic solvent). For example, the above synthesis is preferably carried out in ethanol in the presence of pyridine at a reflux temperature. In this reaction, the amount of an alkoxyamine (VII) per mole of the ketone of (VIII) is preferably 1.0 to 5.0 mol, particularly preferably 1.0 to 2.0 mol.

Then, the obtained oxime (VI) is reacted with magnesium (Mg) to prepare a Grignard reagent, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is reacted therewith to obtain a sulfide included in an aromatic carboxylic acid derivative of the formula (V). As a solvent, it is preferred to use an ether such as diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran. The reaction temperature is preferably between -78° C. and 50° C., particularly preferably between 0° and 50° C.

The amount of the magnesium (Mg) for preparing the Grignard reagent is preferably 1.0 to 5.0 mol per mole of the oxime (VI). Preferably, the Grignard reaction is smoothly carried out in the co-presence of an alkyl iodide such as methyl iodide or an alkyl bromide such as ethyl bromide. The amount of the alkyl halide used in this case is preferably 0.1 to 3.0 mol per mole of the oxime (VI).

The reaction between the Grignard reagent and carbon dioxide (CO₂) is carried out by blowing a carbon dioxide gas from its cylinder or a carbond dioxide gas generated from dry ice (solid carbon dioxide) into the Grignard reagent in the solvent. Further, dry ice may be directly added to the Grignard reagent to allow these to react.

Finally, the sulfur atom is oxidized by using an oxidizing agent in an amount of at least 2 equivalents to form a sulfone, whereby the compound of the formula (IV) is obtained. It is hydrogen peroxide that can be preferably used as an oxidizing agent.

The novel pyrazole derivative of the formula (XI) provided by the present invention can be produced by the reaction shown in FIG. 5.

In FIG. 5, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, R¹⁶, R¹⁷, R¹⁸, R¹⁹, X³, Y, k, p, m, A² and B represent those already defined in the general formula (XI), and Hal is a halogen atom.

A starting material of the formula (XI_(H)) is reacted with B--A² --Hal (in which B--A² -- represents that which is already defined in the general formula (XI) and Hal is a halogen atom) in an inert solvent in the presence of a base, whereby the pyrazole derivative of the formula (XI) provided by the present invention can be obtained.

In the above step, the molar ratio of the compound of the formula (XI_(H)):the compound of the formula (XII) is preferably 1:1 to 1:3, and for collecting hydrogen halide produced as a byproduct by the reaction, it is preferred to use a base such as sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, triethylamine or pyridine in an equimolar or greater amount based on the starting material of the formula (XI_(H)). The reaction temperature is preferably between room temperature and the boiling point of a solvent used. The solvent used for the reaction is selected from aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and tolune, ether solvents such as diethyl ether, ketone solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, and halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and chloroform. Further a two phases solvent system of the above solvent and water may be used. In this case, a favorable result can be obtained by adding a phase transfer catalyst such as crown ether or benzel chloride triethylammonium to the reaction system.

The pyrazole derivative of the formula (XI_(H)) used as a starting material can be synthesized, for example, by the method described in WO93/18031.

The present invention will be further explained with reference to Examples hereinafter.

PREPARATION EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND (I) OF THE INVENTION

Preparation Example 1!

A 100-ml eggplant type flask was charged with 1.1 g (2.9 mmol) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-l,l-dioxide, and 20 ml of methylene chloride was added to prepare a solution. Then, a solution of 0.41 g of potassium carbonate in 20 ml of distilled water was added. Further, a solution of 0.6 g (4.2 mmol) of n-propanesulfonyl chloride as a reaction reagent in 5 ml of methylene chloride was added, and further, 0.05 g of benzyl chloride triethylammonium was added as a catalyst. The resultant mixture was allowed to react by stirring it at room temperature for 24 hours. After the reaction, a methylene chloride layer was separated and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate, and the methylene chloride was distilled off under reduced pressure. The resultant oily substance was purified through a column packed with silica gel. A mixture of ethyl acetate with n-hexane was used as a developer solvent.

The above operation gave 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-n-propanesulfonyloxypyrazol-4-yl)-carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 1) as a solid in an amount of 0.88 g. The yield was 62 %.

Preparation Example 2!

4-Methoxyimino-5, 8-dimethyl-6- (1-ethyl-5-n-propanesulfonyloxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 2) was obtained at a yield of 48% in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl)thiochroman-1,1-dioxide.

Preparation Example 3!

4-Methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-p-toluenesulfonyloxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 3) was obtained at a yield of 42% in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl)thiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that p-toluenesulfonyl chloride was used as a reaction reagent.

Preparation Examples 4-11!

Compounds 4 to 11 were obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the n-propanesulfonyl chloride as a reaction reagent was replaced with methanesulfonyl chloride, ethansulfonyl chloride, n-butanesulfonyl chloride, n-octanesulfonyl chloride, p-toluenesulfonyl chloride, o-toluenesulfonyl chloride, p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride or p-methoxybenzenesulfonyl chloride.

Preparation Examples 12-17!

Compounds 12 to 17 were obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that the reaction regent was replaced with i-propanesulfonyl chloride, n-butanesulfonyl chloride, benzenesulfonyl chloride, p-chlorobenzenesulfonyl chloride, p-fluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride or 3,4-difluorobenzenesulfonyl chloride.

Preparation Examples 18 and 19!

Compounds 18 and 19 were obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1,3-dimethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that n-propanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride was used as a reaction reagent.

Preparation Example 20!

A 100-ml eggplant type flask was charged with 0.4 g (1.1 mmol) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide, and 10 ml of methylene chloride was added to prepare a solution. Then, 0.14 g of triethylamine was added. Further, a solution of 0.10 g (1.3 mmol) of acetyl chloride in 5 ml of methylene chloride was added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours to allow it to react. After the reaction, 10 ml of water was added, and a methylene chloride layer was separated, washed with a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Then, the methylene chloride was distilled off under reduced pressure. The resultant oily substance was purified through a column packed with silica gel. A mixture of ethyl acetate with n-hexane was used as a developer solvent.

The above operation gave 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-acetyloxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 20).

Preparation Examples 21-24!

Compounds 21 to 24 were obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 20 except that the acetyl chloride was replaced with propionic acid chloride, n-butyric acid chloride, n-valeric acid chloride or n-heptanoyl chloride.

Preparation Example 25!

Compound 25 was obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 20 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that the reaction reagent was replaced with n-butyric acid chloride.

Preparation Example 26!

0.4 Gram (1.1 mmol) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide, 0.23 g (1.2 mmol) of phenacyl bromide and 0.15 g of potassium carbonate were added to 10 ml of acetone, and the mixture was stirred under heat for 8 hours. Insolubles were removed by filtration, and then the acetone was distilled off. The remainder was dissolved in ethyl acetate, and the resultant solution was washed with a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution and then dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The ethyl acetate was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the remainder was subjected to column chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate) to give intended. 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl -5-phenacyloxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 26) at a yield of 52%.

Preparation Example 27!

Compound 27 was obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 26 except that the phenacyl bromide was replaced with chloroacetone.

Preparation Examples 28 and 29!

Compounds 28 and 29 were obtained in the same manner as in Preparation Example 26 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-methoxyimino-5,8-dimethyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that phenacyl bromide or benzyl bromide was used as a reaction reagent.

Preparation Examples 30 and 31!

4-Ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-n-propanesulfonyloxypyrazo 1-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 30) and 4-ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-p-toluenesulfonyloxypyrazo 1-4-yl)carbonyl-thiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 31) were obtained at yields of 52% and 37% respectively in the same manner as in Preparation Example 1 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6- (1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that n-propanesulfonyl chloride or p-toluenesulfonyl chloride were used as a reaction reagent.

Preparation Example 32!

4-Ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-phenacyloxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 32) was obtained at a yield of 28% in the same manner as in Preparation Example 26 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonyl thiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that phenacyl bromide was used as a reaction reagent.

Preparation Example 33!

4-Ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-cyclohexanecarbonyloxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound 33) was obtained at a yield of 50% in the same manner as in Preparation Example 20 except that the starting material was replaced with 4-ethoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide and that the reaction reagent was replaced with cyclohexanecarbonyl chloride.

Tables 1 to 8 show the starting materials, reaction reagents and the structures and yields of the compounds as products in Examples 1 to 33, and Tables 9 to 17 show the physical properties of the obtained compounds.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                               Starting            Reaction      Obtained                                Ex. No.                                                                             material            reagent       compound           Y                    __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)*                       ##STR14##          n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                                 ##STR15##         62%                  2                                                                                    ##STR16##          n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                                 ##STR17##         48%                  3    the same as the above                                                                               ##STR18##                                                                                    ##STR19##         42%                  __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                              Starting           Reaction                                                                              Obtained                                         Ex. No.                                                                            material           reagent                                                                               compound           Y (%)*                        __________________________________________________________________________          ##STR20##         CH.sub.3 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                                   ##STR21##         67%                           5   the same as the above                                                                             C.sub.2 H.sub.5 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                            ##STR22##         55%                           6   the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                          ##STR23##         72%                           7   the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.8 H.sub.17 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                         ##STR24##         83%                           __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 3                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                               Starting           Reaction       Obtained                                Ex. No.                                                                             material           reagent        compound           Y                    __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)*                       ##STR25##                                                                                         ##STR26##                                                                                     ##STR27##         71%                  9    the same as the above                                                                              ##STR28##                                                                                     ##STR29##         85%                  10   the same as the above                                                                              ##STR30##                                                                                     ##STR31##         83%                  11   the same as the above                                                                              ##STR32##                                                                                     ##STR33##         82%                  __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 4                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                              Starting           Reaction    Obtained                                    Ex. No.                                                                            material           reagent     compound           Y                        __________________________________________________________________________                                                           (%)*                     12                                                                                  ##STR34##                                                                                         ##STR35##                                                                                  ##STR36##         58%                      13  the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                               ##STR37##         79%                      14  the same as the above                                                                              ##STR38##                                                                                  ##STR39##         84%                      15  the same as the above                                                                              ##STR40##                                                                                  ##STR41##         88%                      16  the same as the above                                                                              ##STR42##                                                                                  ##STR43##         91%                      17  the same as the above                                                                              ##STR44##                                                                                  ##STR45##         89%                      __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 5                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                               Starting            Reaction      Obtained                                Ex. No.                                                                             material            reagent       compound           Y                    __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)*                 18                                                                                   ##STR46##          n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                                 ##STR47##         68%                  19   the same as the above                                                                               ##STR48##                                                                                    ##STR49##         70%                  __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 6                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                              Starting           Reaction                                                                              Obtained                                         Ex. No.                                                                            material           reagent                                                                               compound           Y (%)*                        __________________________________________________________________________     20                                                                                  ##STR50##         CH.sub.3 COCl                                                                          ##STR51##         45%                           21  the same as the above                                                                             C.sub.2 H.sub.5 COCl                                                                   ##STR52##         61%                           22  the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 COCl                                                                 ##STR53##         74%                           23  the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9 COCl                                                                 ##STR54##         53%                           24  the same as the above                                                                             n-C.sub.6 H.sub.13 COCl                                                                ##STR55##         69%                           25                                                                                  ##STR56##         n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7 COCl                                                                 ##STR57##         78%                           __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 7                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                              Starting           Reaction   Obtained                                     Ex. No.                                                                            material           reagent    compound           Y (%)*                    __________________________________________________________________________     26                                                                                  ##STR58##                                                                                         ##STR59##                                                                                 ##STR60##         51%                       27  the same as the above                                                                             CH.sub.3 COCH.sub.2 Cl                                                                     ##STR61##         41%                       28                                                                                  ##STR62##                                                                                         ##STR63##                                                                                 ##STR64##         57%                       29  the same as the above                                                                              ##STR65##                                                                                 ##STR66##         65%                       __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

                                      TABLE 8                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Prep.                                                                              Starting            Reaction      Obtained                                 Ex. No.                                                                            material            reagent       compound            Y                    __________________________________________________________________________                                                               (%)*                 30                                                                                  ##STR67##          C.sub.3 H.sub.7 SO.sub.2 Cl                                                                   ##STR68##          52                   31  the same as the above                                                                               ##STR69##                                                                                    ##STR70##          37                   32  the same as the above                                                                               ##STR71##                                                                                    ##STR72##          28                   33  the same as the above                                                                               ##STR73##                                                                                    ##STR74##          50                   __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (present)                                                 

                  TABLE 9                                                          ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                      Com-    tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. pound   Solvent                melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                             IR (cm.sup.-1)                                                                        point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         1     1       1.18(3H, t) 1.52(3H, t)                                                                        3000,2960                                                                             146.0˜150.7                                       2.0˜2.2(2H, m) 2.52(3H, s)                                                               1665                                                           3.35(4H, t) 3.73(2H, t)                                                                        1135,1325                                                      4.06(3H, s) 4.23(2H, q)                                                                        1190,1395                                                      7.45(H, s) 7.48(H, d)                                                          7.96(H, d)                                                       2     2       1.18(3H, t) 1.52(3H, t)                                                                        3000,2970                                                                             158.8˜162.1                                       2.0˜2.2(2H, m) 2.43(3H, s)                                                               1670                                                           2.73(3H, s) 3.35(4H, t)                                                                        1130,1325                                                      3.73(2H, t) 4.02(3H, s)                                                                        1180,1395                                                      4.23(2H, q)                                                                    7.09(H, s) 7.47(H, s)                                            3     3       1.51(3H, t) 2.39(3H, s)                                                                        2980,2940                                                                             glass-like                                              2.47(3H, s) 2.67(3H, s)                                                                        1665   substance                                               3.34(4H, t) 4.02(3H, s)                                                                        1120,1310                                                      4.20(2H, q) 7.03(H, s)                                                                         1180,1390                                                      7.40(2H, d) 7.52(H, s)                                                         7.91(2H, d)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 10                                     __________________________________________________________________________              NMR (ppm)                                                                      Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                                    Prep.                                                                               Comp.                                                                              Solvent              melting                                          Ex. No.                                                                             No. deutero-chroroform                                                                             IR (cm.sup.-1)                                                                      point (°C.)                               __________________________________________________________________________     4    4   1.52(3H, t), 2.52(3H, S)                                                                       2950 --                                                        3.3-3.4(4H, m)  1660                                                           3.65(3H, s), 4.07, (3, s)                                                                      1320                                                           4.23(2H, q), 7.42(1H, s)                                                                       1190                                                           7.46(1H, d). 7.95(1H, d)                                              5    5   1.52(3H, t), 1.66(3H, t)                                                                       2980 --                                                        2.52(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                    1670                                                           3,79(2H, q), 4.07(3H, s)                                                                       1320                                                           4.25(2H, q), 7.44(1H, s)                                                                       1190                                                           7.46(1H, d), 7.94(1H, d)                                              6    6   1.02(3H, t) 1.51(3H, t)                                                                        2950 151.9˜155.8                                         1.5-2.2(4H, m), 2.52(3H, s)                                                                    1660                                                           3.2-3.5, (4H, m), 3.6-3.9(2H, m)                                                               1320                                                           4.05(3H, s), 4.23(2H, q)                                                                       1130                                                           7.43(1H, s) 7.46(1H, d)                                                        7.95(1H, d)                                                           7    7   0.89(3H, t), 1.1-1.7(12H, m)                                                                   2940 --                                                        2.52(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                    1660                                                           3.6-3.9(2H, m), 4.07(3H, s)                                                                    1320                                                           4.23(2H, q), 7.44(1H, s)                                                                       1120                                                           7.46(1H, d), 7.96(1H, d)                                              __________________________________________________________________________

                  TABLE 11                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         8     8       1.49(3H, t), 2.47(3H, s)                                                                        2950  glass-like                                              2.49(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1680                                                          4.05(3H, s), 4.17(2H, q)                                                                        1320                                                          7.35(1H, s), 7.4-8.0(6H, m)                                                                     1130                                            9     9       1.50(3H, t), 2.0-2.9(6H, m)                                                                     2970  --                                                      3.2-3.4(4H, m), 4.05(3H, s)                                                                     1680                                                          4.19(2H, q), 7.2-8.0(7H, m)                                                                     1330                                                                           1140                                            10    10      1.56(3H, t), 2.44(3H, s)                                                                        2970  187                                                     3.3-3.5(4H, m), 4.07(3H, s)                                                                     1660  (Decompose)                                             4.28(2H, q), 7.33(1H, d)                                                                        1320                                                          7.39(1H, s), 7.90(1H, d)                                                                        1130                                                          8.40(4H, ABq)                                                    11    11      1.50(3H, t), 2.50(3H, s)                                                                        2950  glass-like                                              3.2-3.4(4H, m), 3.90(3H, s)                                                                     1660                                                          4.03(3H, s), 4.19(2H, q)                                                                        1320                                                          7.02(2H, d), 7.31(1H, d)                                                                        1120                                                          7.54(1H, s), 7.87(1H, d)                                                       7.90(2H, d)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 12                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         12    12      1.52(3H, t), 1.61(6H, d)                                                                        2980  180.4˜182.2                                       2.43(3H, s), 2.72(3H, s)                                                                        1670                                                          3.3-3.5(4H, m), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                     1320                                                          4.22(2H, q), 7.19(1H, s)                                                                        1130                                                          7.50(1H, s)                                                      13    13      1.01(3H, t), 1.4-1.7(5H, m)                                                                     2950  171.7˜176.6                                       1.8-2.3(2H, m), 2.43(3H, s)                                                                     1660                                                          2.72(3H, s), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1320                                                          3.6-3.9(2H, m), 4. 02(3H, s)                                                                    1120                                                          4.22(2H, q), 7.18(1H, s)                                                       7.46(1H, s)                                                      14    14      1.51(3H, t), 2.39(3H, s)                                                                        2950  --                                                      2.66(2H, s), 3.2-3.4(4H, m)                                                                     1660                                                          4.01(3H, s), 4.19(2H, q)                                                                        1310                                                          7.04(1H, s), 7.53(1H, s)                                                                        1120                                                          7.5-8.2(5H, m)                                                   15    15      1.53(3H, t), 2.37(3H, s)                                                                        2960  --                                                      2.68(3H, s), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1670                                                          4.02(3H, s), 4.24(2H, q)                                                                        1320                                                          7.04(1H, s), 7.50(1H, s)                                                                        1140                                                          7.60(2H, d), 8.01(2H, d)                                         16    16      1.54(3H, t), 2.39(3H, s)                                                                        2950  --                                                      2.69(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1670                                                          4.02(3H, s), 4.24(2H, q)                                                                        1310                                                          7.06(1H, s), 7.2-7.4(2H, m)                                                                     1130                                                          7.52(1H, s), 8.0-8.2(2H, m)                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 13                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         17    17      1.54(3H, t), 2.38(3H, s)                                                                        2950  189.2˜191.4                                       2.69(3H, s), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1670                                                          4.02(3H, s), 4.26(2H, q)                                                                        1320                                                          7.07(1H, m), 7.2-7.5(1H, m)                                                                     1140                                                          7.49(1H, s), 7.8-8.1(2H, m)                                      18    18      1.09(3H, t), 1.7-2.1(2H, m)                                                                     2970  --                                                      2.08(3H, s), 2.42(3H, s)                                                                        1660                                                          2.72(3H, s), 3.1-3.4(6H, m)                                                                     1330                                                          3.81(3H, s), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                        1140                                                          7.15(1H, s)                                                      19    19      2.24(3H, s), 2.46(6H, s)                                                                        2950  --                                                      2.61(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1650                                                          3.66(3H, s), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                        1320                                                          7.02(1H, s), 7.35(2H, d)                                                                        1120                                                          7.62(2H, d)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 14                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         20    20      1.45(3H, t), 2.31(3JH, s)                                                                       2950  --                                                      2.50(3H, s), 3.2-3.4(4H, m)                                                                     1790                                                          4.02(2H, q), 4.06(3H, s)                                                                        1660                                                          7.42(1H, d), 7.57(1H, s)                                                                        1320                                                          7.92(1H, d)      1120                                            21    21      1.23(3H, t), 1.45(3H, t)                                                                        2960  --                                                      2.50(3H, s), 2.59(2H, q)                                                                        1800                                                          3.3-3.5(4H, m), 4.01(2H, q)                                                                     1670                                                          4.06(3H, s), 7.40(1H, d)                                                                        1320                                                          7.58(1H, s), 7.93(JH, d)                                                                        1130                                            22    22      1.03(3H, t), 1.43(3H, t)                                                                        2970  --                                                      1.6-2.0(2H, m), 2.50(3H, s)                                                                     1800                                                          2.54(2H, t), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1670                                                          4.02(2H, q), 4.07(3H, s)                                                                        1330                                                          7.41(1H, d), 7.48(IH, s)                                                                        1130                                                          7.96(1H, d)                                                      23    23      0.97(3H, t), 1.1-1.9(4H, m)                                                                     2950  --                                                      1.43(3H, t), 2.50(3H, s)                                                                        1800                                                          2.56(2H, t), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1660                                                          4.02(2H, q), 4.07(3H, s)                                                                        1320                                                          7.41(1H, d), 7.57(1H, s)                                                                        1130                                                          7.93(1H, d)                                                      24    24      0.90(3H, t), 1.1-2.0(8H, m)                                                                     --    --                                                      1.43(3H, t), 2.49(3H, s)                                                       2.57(2H, t), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                    4.02(2H, q), 4.06(3H, s)                                                       7.41(1H, d), 7.56(2H, s)                                                       7.94(1H, s)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 15                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         25    25      1.03(3H, t), 1.44(3H, t)                                                                        2940  --                                                      1.5-2.0(2H, m), 2.40(3H, s)                                                                     1790                                                          2.53(2H, t), 2.70(3H, s)                                                                        1660                                                          3.2-3.5(4H, m), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                     1310                                                          4.02(2H, q), 7.12(1H, s)                                                                        1110                                                          7.59(1H, s)                                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 16                                                         ______________________________________                                                 NMR (ppm)                                                                            Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                               Prep. Comp.   Solvent          IR    melting                                   Ex. No.                                                                              No.     deutero-chroroform                                                                              (cm.sup.-1)                                                                          point (°C.)                        ______________________________________                                         26    26      1.51(3H, t), 2.41(3H, s)                                                                        2950  --                                                      3.2-3.4(4H, m), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                     1710                                                          4.28(2H, q), 6.19(2H, s)                                                                        1650                                                          7.19(1H, s), 7.3-8.1(7H, m)                                                                     1320                                                                           1130                                            27    27      1.47(3H, t), 2.22(3H, s)                                                                        2950  --                                                      2.48(3H, s), 3.3-3.5(4H, m)                                                                     1740                                                          4.05(3H, s), 4.19(2H, q)                                                                        1650                                                          5.44(2H, s), 7.18(1H, s)                                                                        1320                                                          7.39(1H, d), 7.94(1H, d)                                                                        1110                                            28    28      1.53(3H, t), 2.32(3H, s)                                                                        --    --                                                      2.70(3H, s), 3.2-3.4(4H, m)                                                    4.00(3H, s), 4.30(2H, q)                                                       6.19(2H, s), 7.10(1H, s)                                                       7.2-8.0(6H, m)                                                   29    29      1.25(3H, t), 2.45(3H, s)                                                                        2950  176.5˜179.2                                       2.71(3H, s), 3.2-3.4(4H, m)                                                                     1650                                                          3.92(2H, q), 4.02(3H, s)                                                                        1310                                                          5.59(2H, s), 7.14(1H, s)                                                                        1130                                                          7.28(1H, s), 7.38(5H, s)                                         ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 17                                     __________________________________________________________________________             NMR (ppm)                                                                      Internal Standard                                                              tetramethyl-silane                                                     Prep.                                                                              Comp.                                                                              Solvent            IR  melting                                         Ex. No.                                                                            No. deutero-chroroform (cm.sup.-1)                                                                        point (°C.)                              __________________________________________________________________________     30  30  1.18(3H,t), 1.34(3H, t), 1.52(3H, t)                                                              2950                                                                               --                                                      1.9-2.4(2H, m), 2.52(3H, s)                                                                       1660                                                        3.2-3.5(4H, m), 3.6-3.9(2H, m)                                                                    1170                                                        4.22(2H, q), 4.30(2H, q), 7.45(1H, s)                                          7.71 2H, dd)                                                           31  31  1.33(3H, t), 1.50(3H, t), 2.48(6H, s)                                                             2950                                                                               --                                                      3.2-3.5(4H, m), 4.17(2H, q)                                                                       1670                                                        4.29(2H, q), 7.35(1H,s),T.6T(6H,dd)                                                               1170                                                31  31  1.33(3H, t), 1.43(3H, t), 1.3-2.2(11H, m)                                                         3000                                                                               --                                                      2.48(3H, s), 3.2-3.5(4H, m)                                                                       1710                                                        4.01(2H, q), 4.27(2H, q), 7.60(1H, s)                                                             1640                                                        7.66(2H, dd)       1130                                                33  33  1.32(3H, t), 1.52(3H, t), 2.41(3H, s)                                                             3000                                                                               --                                                      3.2-3.5(4H, m), 4.27(2H, q)                                                                       1800                                                        4.28(2H, q), 6.20(2H, s), 7.2-8.1(8H, m)                                                          1660                                                                           1130                                                __________________________________________________________________________

PREPARATION EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND (XI) OF THE INVENTION

Preparation Example 51!

4-Methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide was used as a starting material (XI_(H)). And, 0.40 g (1.1 mmol) thereof was dissolved in 4 ml of methylene chloride, and 0.22 g (2.2 mmol) of triethylamine as a base and 0.17 g (2.2 mmol) of acetyl chloride as a reaction reagent (XII) were added. The resultant mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 8 hours. A saturated sodium carbonate aqueous solution was added to the reaction mixture, the reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate, and its organic layer was dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the resultant oil was purified with flush column chromatography (Wako Gel C-300: hexane/ethyl acetate=1:2) to give 0.33 g (yield 73%) of 4-methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-acetoxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound No. 51) as an end compound which comes under the general formula (XI). Table 18 shows the structures of the starting material (XI_(H)) and the reaction reagent (XII), and the structure and the yield of the end product (XI).

Preparation Examples 52-58!

Compounds Nos. 52 to 58 shown in Tables 18 and 19 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 51 except that the acetyl chloride as a reaction reagent (XII) was replaced with reaction reagents shown in Tables 18 and 19 and that the starting materials shown in Tables 18 and 19 were used as a starting material (XI_(H)).

                                      TABLE 18                                     __________________________________________________________________________         Reaction                                                                   Prep.                                                                              reagent          Starting           Pyrazole Derv.                         Ex. No.                                                                            (XII)            material (XI.sub.H)                                                                               as end product (XI)                                                                               Y                   __________________________________________________________________________                                                                (%)*                51                                                                                  ##STR75##                                                                                       ##STR76##                                                                                         ##STR77##         73                  52                                                                                  ##STR78##                                                                                       ##STR79##                                                                                         ##STR80##         51                  53                                                                                  ##STR81##                                                                                       ##STR82##                                                                                         ##STR83##         61                  54                                                                                  ##STR84##                                                                                       ##STR85##                                                                                         ##STR86##         75                  __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (present)                                                 

                                      TABLE 19                                     __________________________________________________________________________         Reaction                                                                   Prep.                                                                              reagent     Starting           Pyrazole Derv.                              Ex. No.                                                                            (XII)       material (XI.sub.H)                                                                               as end product (XI)                                                                               Y                        __________________________________________________________________________                                                           (%)*                     55                                                                                  ##STR87##                                                                                  ##STR88##                                                                                         ##STR89##         49                       56                                                                                  ##STR90##                                                                                  ##STR91##                                                                                         ##STR92##         54                       57                                                                                  ##STR93##                                                                                  ##STR94##                                                                                         ##STR95##         57                       58                                                                                  ##STR96##                                                                                  ##STR97##                                                                                         ##STR98##         63                       __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

Preparation Example 59!

4-Methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide was used as a starting material (XI_(H)). And, 0.4 g (1.10 mmol) thereof was dissolved in 10 ml of methyl ethyl ketone, and 0.15 g (1.10 mmol) of bromoacetone as a reaction reagent (XII) and 0.30 g (2.20 mmol) of potassium carbonate as a base were added. The resultant mixture was refluxed under heat for 3 hours. Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. Its organic layer was separated, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Then, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the resultant oil was purified with flush column chromatography (Wako Gel C-300: hexane/ethyl acetate=1:2) to give 0.29 g (yield 63%) of 4-methoxy-5-methyl-6-(5-acetylmethyloxy-1-ethylpyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1, 1-dioxide (Compound No. 59) as an end compound which comes under the general formula (XI). Table 20 shows the structures of the starting material (XI_(H)) and the reaction reagent (XII), and the structure and the yield of the end product (XI).

Preparation Examples 60-61!

Compounds Nos. 60 and 61 shown in Table 20 were obtained in the same manner as in Example 59 except that the bromoacetone as a reaction reagent (XII) was replaced with reaction reagents shown in Table 20 and that the starting materials shown in Table 20 were used.

                                      TABLE 20                                     __________________________________________________________________________         Reaction                                                                   Prep.                                                                              reagent   Starting           Pyrazole Derv.                                Ex. No.                                                                            (XII)     material (XI.sub.H)                                                                               as end product (XI)                                                                               Y (%)*                     __________________________________________________________________________     59                                                                                  ##STR99##                                                                                ##STR100##                                                                                        ##STR101##        63                         60                                                                                  ##STR102##                                                                               ##STR103##                                                                                        ##STR104##        19                         61                                                                                  ##STR105##                                                                               ##STR106##                                                                                        ##STR107##        39                         __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (present)                                                 

Preparation Example 62!

4-Methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide was used as a starting material (XI_(H)). And, 0.4 g (1.10 mmol) thereof was dissolved in 5 ml of acetone, and 0.21 g (1.21 mmol) of benzyl bromide as a reaction reagent (XII) and 0.15 g (1.10 mmol) of potassium carbonate as a base were added. The resultant mixture was refluxed under heat for 3 hours. Water was added to the reaction mixture, and the reaction mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. Its organic layer was separated, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Then, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the resultant oil was purified with flush column chromatography (Wako Gel C-300: hexane/ethyl acetate=2:3) to give 0.37 g (yield 74%) of 4-methoxy-5-methyl-6-(5-benzyloxy-1-ethylpyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound No. 62) as an end compound which comes under the general formula (XI). Table 21 shows the structures of the starting material (XI_(H)) and the reaction reagent (XII), and the structure and the yield of the end product (I).

                                      TABLE 21                                     __________________________________________________________________________         Starting                                                                   Prep.                                                                              material                                                                            Reaction           Pyrazole Derv.                                     Ex. No.                                                                            (XII)                                                                               reagent (XI.sub.H) as end product (XI)                                                                               Y (%)*                          __________________________________________________________________________     62  Ph.CH.sub.2.Br                                                                       ##STR108##                                                                                        ##STR109##        74                              __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

Preparation Example 63!

4-Methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide was used as a starting material (XI_(H)). And, 0.4 g (1.10 mmol) thereof was dissolved in 6 ml of methylene chloride, a solution of 0.30 g (2.20 mmol) of potassium carbonate as a base in 4 ml of water was added, and 0.29 g (1.30 mmol) of p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride and 0.05 g (0.2 mmol) of chlorobenzyltriethylammonium chloride as reaction reagents (XII) were added. The resultant mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 2 hours. Further, the reaction mixture was refluxed under heat for 2 hours. After the reaction mixture was allowed to cool, its methylene chloride layer was separated, and dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate. Then, the solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure, and the resultant oil was purified with flush column chromatography to give 0.42 g (yield 70%) of 4-methoxy-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-(p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) oxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (Compound No. 13) as an end compound which comes under the general formula (XI). Table 22 shows the structures of the starting material (XI_(H)) and the reaction reagent (XII), and the structure and the yield of the end product (XI).

Preparation Examples 64-65!

Compounds Nos. 64 and 65 shown in Table 22 were obtained in the same manner as; in Example 63 except that the p-nitrobenzenesulfonyl chloride as a reaction reagent (XII) was replaced with reaction reagents shown in Table 22.

                                      TABLE 22                                     __________________________________________________________________________         Reaction                                                                   Prep.                                                                              regent               Starting                                              Ex. No.                                                                            (II)                 material (XI.sub.H)                                   __________________________________________________________________________     63                                                                                  ##STR110##                                                                                          ##STR111##                                           64                                                                                  ##STR112##                                                                                          ##STR113##                                           65                                                                                  ##STR114##                                                                                          ##STR115##                                           __________________________________________________________________________                 Prep.                                                                              Pyrazole Derv.                                                             Ex. No.                                                                            as end product (I)      Y (%)*                                 __________________________________________________________________________                 63                                                                                  ##STR116##             70                                                 64                                                                                  ##STR117##             85                                                 65                                                                                  ##STR118##             62                                     __________________________________________________________________________      *Y (%) = yield (percent)                                                 

Tables 23, 24 and 25 show NMR and IR analysis results of Compounds Nos. 51 to 65 obtained in the above Preparation Examples 51 to 65.

                  TABLE 23                                                         ______________________________________                                                NMR (ppm)                                                               Comp.  Int. Std.*: tetramethylsilane                                                                          IR (cm.sup.-1)                                  No.    Solvent: deutero-chroroform                                                                            KBr tablet                                      ______________________________________                                         51     1.43(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.26(3H, s)                                                                       2970                                                   2.33(3H, s) 2.4-2.9(2H, m)                                                                             1810                                                   3.1-3.4(1H, m) 3.48(3H, s)                                                                             1670                                                   3.6-3.8(1H, m) 4.02(2H, q, J-7.3Hz)                                                                    1300                                                   4.53(1H, t, J=2.9HZ) 7.45(1H, d, J=8.1Hz)                                                              1140                                                   7.59(1H, s) 7.89(1H, d, J=8.1Hz)                                        52     1.21(3H, t) 1.44(3H, t, J=7.3Hz)                                                                       2960                                                   2.33(3H, s) 2.54(2H, q) 1800                                                   2.4-2.9(2H, m) 3.1-3.4(1H, m)                                                                          1670                                                   3.47(3H, s) 3.6-3.8(1H, m)                                                                             1300                                                   4.02(2H, q J=7.3Hz) 4.53(1H, t)                                                                        1140                                                   7.45(1H, d, J=8.2Hz) 7.59(1H, s)                                               7.87(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                                    53     0.96(3H, t) 1.43(3H, t, J=7.3Hz)                                                                       2970                                                   1.3-1.8(4H, m) 2.33(3H, s)                                                                             1800                                                   2.51(2H, t, J=7.5Hz) 2.6-2.8(2H, m)                                                                    1670                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.47(3H, s)                                                                             1300                                                   3.6-3.8(1H, m) 4.01(2H, q, J=7.3Hz)                                                                    1140                                                   4.52(1H, t, J=2.9Hz) 7.45(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                      7.58(1H, s) 7.87(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                        54     0.90(3H, t) 1,43(3H, t, J=7.3Hz)                                                                       2950                                                   1.2-1.8(8H, m) 2.33(3H, s)                                                                             1800                                                   2.51(2H, t, J=7.6Hz) 2.5-2.9(2H, m)                                                                    1660                                                   3.1-3.4(1H, m) 3.47(3H, s) 3.6-3.8(1H, m)                                                              1300                                                   4.01(2H, q, J=7.3Hz) 4.52(1H, t, J=2.9Hz)                                                              1130                                                   7.45(1H, d, J=8.3Hz) 7.57(1H, s)                                               7.87(1H, d, J=8.3Hz)                                                    55     1.48(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.31(3H, s)                                                                       2950                                                   2.4-2.8(2H, m) 3.0-3.3(1H, m)                                                                          1790                                                   3.44(3H, s) 3.5-3.7(1H, m)                                                                             1670                                                   4.09(2H, q, J=7.5Hz) 4.43(1H, t, J=2.9Hz)                                                              1300                                                   7.3-7.9(5H, m)          1140                                            ______________________________________                                          *Int. Std. = Internal Standard                                           

                  TABLE 24                                                         ______________________________________                                                NMR (ppm)                                                               Comp.  Int. Std*: tetramethylsilane                                                                           IR (cm.sup.-1)                                  No.    Solvent: deutero-chroroform                                                                            KBr tablet                                      ______________________________________                                         56     1.42(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 1.3-2.0(10H, m)                                                                   2970                                                   2.33(3H, s)2.3-2.8(3H, m)                                                                              1800                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.47(3H, s)                                                                             1670                                                   3.6-3.8(1H, m) 3.99(2H, q, J=7.3Hz)                                                                    1300                                                   4.52(1H, t, J=2.9Hz) 7.44(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                                              1140                                                   7.61(1H, s) 7.86(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                        57     1.49(3H, t) 2.25(3H, s) 2950                                                   2.3-2.7(2H, m) 2.69(3H, s)                                                                             1780                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.43(3H, s)                                                                             1660                                                   3.4-3.7(1H, m) 4.10(2H, q)                                                                             1295                                                   4.40(1H, t) 7.2-7.9(5H, m)                                                                             1135                                            58     1.2-2.0(10H, m) 1.42(3H, t, J=7.3Hz)                                                                   2960                                                   2.27(3H, s) 2.3-2.6(3H, s)                                                                             1800                                                   2.73(3H, s)3.1-3.3(1H, m)                                                                              1670                                                   3.45(3H, s) 3.7-3.9(1H, m)                                                                             1300                                                   3.98(2H, q, J=7.3Hz) 4.48(1H, m)                                                                       1140                                                   7.18(1H, s) 7.68(1H, s)                                                 59     1.46(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.30(3H, S)                                                                       2950                                                   2.44(3H, s) 2.6-2.8(2H, m)                                                                             1750                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.47(3H, s)                                                                             1660                                                   3.6-3.7(1H, m) 4.17(2H, q, J=7.3Hz)                                                                    1320                                                   4.51(1H, t) 5.41(2H, s) 7.16(1H, s)                                                                    1140                                                   7.42(1H, d, J=8.2Hz) 7.86(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                               60     1.52(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.27(3H, s)                                                                       2950                                                   2.6-2.8(2H, m) 3.1-3.3(1H, m)                                                                          1720                                                   3.45(3H, s) 3.5-3.7(1H, m)                                                                             1669                                                   4.29(2H, q, J=7.3Hz) 4.49(1H, t)                                                                       1300                                                   6.17(2H, s)7.2-8.0(8H, m)                                                                              1140                                            ______________________________________                                          *Int. Std. = Internal Standard                                           

                  TABLE 25                                                         ______________________________________                                                NMR (ppm)                                                               Comp.  Int. Std.*: tetramethylsilane                                                                          IR (cm.sup.-1)                                  No.    Solvent: deutero-chroroform                                                                            KBr tablet                                      ______________________________________                                         61     1.52(3H, t) 2.22(3H, s) 2950                                                   2.3-2.6(2H, m) 2.70(3H, s)                                                                             1710                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.43(3H, s)                                                                             1650                                                   3.6-3.9(1H, m) 4.30(2H, q)                                                                             1290                                                   4.45(1H, t) 6.18(2H, s) 1180                                                   7.1-8.0(7H, m)                                                          62     1.26(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.38(3H, s)                                                                       2960                                                   2.6-2.8(2H, m) 3.1-3.4(1H, m)                                                                          1660                                                   3.49(3H, s) 3.6-3.8(1H, m)                                                                             1300                                                   3.92(2H, q, J=7.3Hz) 4.54(1H, t)                                                                       1140                                                   5.58(2H, s) 7.2-7.3(1H, m)                                                     7.3-7.5(6H, m) 7.88(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                     63     1.60(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.31(3H, s)                                                                       2960                                                   2.5-2.8(2H, m) 3.1-3.4(1H, m)                                                                          1670                                                   3.49(3H, s) 3.6-3.8(1H, m)                                                                             1550                                                   4.28(2H, q, J=7.3Hz) 4.51(1H, t, J=7.3Hz)                                                              1360                                                   4.51(1H, t, t, J=2.9Hz) 7.38(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                                           1300                                                   7.56(1H, s) 7.78(1H, d, J=8.2Hz)                                                                       1140                                                   8.20(2H, d, J=9.3Hz) 8.45(2H, d, J=9.3Hz)                                                               870                                            64     1.51(3H, t, J=7.2Hz) 2.36(3H, s)                                                                       2960                                                   2.6-2.8(2H, m) 3.1-3.4(1H, z)                                                                          1670                                                   3.48(3H, s) 3.6-3.8(1H, m)                                                                             1300                                                   3.88(3H, s) 4.17(2H, q, J=7.3Hz)                                                                       1140                                                   4.54(1H, t, J=2.7Hz) 7.03(2H, d, J=9.3Hz)                                      7.34(1H, d, J=8.4Hz) 7.55(1H, s)                                               7.79(1H, d, J=8.4Hz) 7.83(2H, d, J=9.3Hz)                               65     0.8-1.0(3H, m) 1.2-1.6(10H, m)                                                                         2950                                                   1.51(3H, t, J=7.3Hz) 2.1-2.2(2H, m)                                                                    1670                                                   2.37(3H, s) 2.6-2.9(2H, m)                                                                             1300                                                   3.1-3.3(1H, m) 3.48(3H, s)                                                                             1140                                                   3.6-3.8(3H, m) 4.22(2H, q, J=7.3Hz)                                            4.54(1H, t) 7.5-7.6(2H, m)                                                     7.89(1H, d, J=8.4Hz)                                                    ______________________________________                                          *Int. Std. = Internal Standard                                           

HERBICIDE EXAMPLES

(1) Preparation of herbicide containing pyrazole compound of the formula (I)

97 Parts by weight of talc (trade name: Zeaklite) as a carrier, 1.5 parts by weight of alkylarylsulfonic acid (trade name: Neoplex, supplied by Kao-Atlas K. K.) as a surfactant and 1.5 parts by weight of a nonionic and anionic surfactant (trade name: Sorpol 800A, supplied by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd.) were uniformly pulverized and mixed to prepare a carrier for a wettable powder.

90 Parts by weight of the above carrier and 10 parts by weight of one of compounds of formula (I) of the present invention obtained in the above Preparation Examples (Compounds 1 to 33) (or 10 parts by weight of one of the following Compounds A, B and C (Compound A: Compound No. 35 in JP-A-2-173, Compound B: Compound No. 1 in JP-A-63-122627 and Compound C: Compound No. 66 in PCT/JP93/00274 (WO/9318031) for Comparative Examples) were uniformly pulverized and mixed to obtain a herbicide. ##STR119##

(2) Biological test (Submergence soil treatment test)

A 1/15,500-are porcelain pot was filled with paddy field soil, and seeds of barnyardgrass and umbrella plant were sown in a surface layer of the soil, and paddy rice at the two-leaf stage was transplanted.

Then, a diluted solution of a predetermined amount of the herbicide prepared in the above (1) was uniformly sprayed onto the water surface at the time of germination of the weeds, and then the pot was allowed to stand in a greenhouse while water was properly sprayed.

Twenty days after the treatment with the herbicide solution, the herbicidal efficacy and phytotoxicity to paddy rice were inspected, and Tables 26 to 29 show the results. The dosage of the herbicide is shown as an amount of the effective ingredient per 10 ares. Further, air-dried weights were measured, and the phytotoxicity to paddy rice and the herbicidal efficacy were shown as follows.

The ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated was determined as the ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated=(remaining plant weight in treated plot/remaining plant weight in non-treated plot)×100.

    ______________________________________                                                      Ratio of remaining plant                                                       weight to non-treated (%)                                         ______________________________________                                         Herbicidal efficacy                                                            0               81-100                                                         1              61-80                                                           2              41-60                                                           3              21-40                                                           4               1-20                                                           5               0                                                              Phytotoxicity                                                                  to paddy rice                                                                  0              100                                                             1              95-99                                                           2              90-94                                                           3              80-89                                                           4               0-79                                                           ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 26                                                         ______________________________________                                                          Dosage of                                                                               Herbicide   phyto-                                   herbicide                                                                             Active    active   efficacy    toxicity                                 Example                                                                               ingredient                                                                               ingredient                                                                              barnyard                                                                              umbrella                                                                              to paddy                               No.    of herbicide                                                                             (g/10 are)                                                                              glass  plant  rice                                   ______________________________________                                         1      Comp. No. 1                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      2      Comp. No. 1                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      3      Comp. No. 2                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      4      Comp. No. 2                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      5      Comp. No. 3                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      6      Comp. No. 3                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      10     Comp. No. 4                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      11     Comp. No. 4                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      12     Comp. No. 5                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      13     Comp. No. 5                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      14     Comp. No. 6                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      15     Comp. No. 6                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      16     Comp. No. 7                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      17     Comp. No. 7                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      18     Comp. No. 8                                                                              3        5      5      0                                      19     Comp. No. 8                                                                              1        5      5      0                                      ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 27                                                         ______________________________________                                                                                phyto-                                                    Dosage of                                                                               Herbicide   toxicity                                herbicide                                                                             Active     active   efficacy    to                                      Example                                                                               ingredient ingredient                                                                              barnyard                                                                              umbrella                                                                              paddy                                 No.    of herbicide                                                                              (g/10 are)                                                                              glass  plant  rice                                  ______________________________________                                         20     Comp. No. 9                                                                               3        5      5      0                                     21     Comp. No. 9                                                                               1        5      5      0                                     22     Comp. No. 10                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     23     Comp. No. 10                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     24     Comp. No. 11                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     25     Comp. No. 11                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     26     Comp. No. 12                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     27     Comp. No. 12                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     28     Comp. No. 13                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     29     Comp. No. 13                                                                              1        3      4      0                                     30     Comp. No. 14                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     31     Comp. No. 14                                                                              1        4      3      0                                     32     Comp. No. 15                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     33     Comp. No. 15                                                                              1        5      3      0                                     34     Comp. No. 16                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     35     Comp. No. 16                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 28                                                         ______________________________________                                                                                phyto-                                                    Dosage of                                                                               Herbicide   toxicity                                herbicide                                                                             Active     active   efficacy    to                                      Example                                                                               ingredient ingredient                                                                              barnyard                                                                              umbrella                                                                              paddy                                 No.    of herbicide                                                                              (g/10 are)                                                                              glass  plant  rice                                  ______________________________________                                         36     Comp. No. 17                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     37     Comp. No. 17                                                                              1        2      2      0                                     38     Comp. No. 18                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     39     Comp. No. 18                                                                              1        5      3      0                                     40     Comp. No. 19                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     41     Comp. No. 19                                                                              1        5      3      0                                     42     Comp. No. 20                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     43     Comp. No. 20                                                                              1        4      5      0                                     44     Comp. No. 21                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     45     Comp. No. 21                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     46     Comp. No. 22                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     47     Comp. No. 22                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     48     Comp. No. 23                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     49     Comp. No. 23                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     50     Comp. No. 24                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     51     Comp. No. 24                                                                              1        4      5      0                                     ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 29                                                         ______________________________________                                                                                phyto-                                                    Dosage of                                                                               Herbicide   toxicity                                herbicide                                                                             Active     active   efficacy    to                                      Example                                                                               ingredient ingredient                                                                              barnyard                                                                              umbrella                                                                              paddy                                 No.    of herbicide                                                                              (g/10 are)                                                                              glass  plant  rice                                  ______________________________________                                         52     Comp. No. 25                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     53     Comp. No. 25                                                                              1        2      3      0                                     54     Comp. No. 26                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     55     Comp. No. 26                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     56     Comp. No. 27                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     57     Comp. No. 27                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     58     Comp. No. 28                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     59     Comp. No. 28                                                                              1        5      3      0                                     60     Comp. No. 29                                                                              3        5      5      0                                     61     Comp. No. 29                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     87     Comp. No. 30                                                                              1        4      5      0                                     88     Comp. No. 31                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     89     Comp. No. 32                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     90     Comp. No. 33                                                                              1        5      5      0                                     Comp.  Comp. A    3        4      4      4                                     Ex. 1                                                                          Comp.  Comp. A    1        1      0      0                                     Ex. 2                                                                          Comp.  Comp. C    3        5      5      4                                     Ex. 3                                                                          Comp.  Comp. C    1        2      3      0                                     Ex. 4                                                                          ______________________________________                                    

(3) Biological test (Soil treatment test on upland soil)

Seeds of weeds such as large crabgrass, barnyardgrass, green foxtail cocklebur, velvetleaf and slender amaranth and seeds of corn were sown in 1/5,000-are Wagner pots filled with upland soil, and covered with upland soil. Then, a predetermined amount of the herbicide prepared in the above (1) was suspended in water and uniformly sprayed onto the soil surface. Thereafter, the seeds were grown in a greenhouse, and 20 days after the treatment, the herbicide was determined for herbicidal efficacy and phytotoxicity to corn. Tables 30 and 31 shows the results.

The dosage of the herbicide is shown as an amount of the effective ingredient per hectare. Further, air-dried weights were measured, and the phytotoxicity to corn and the herbicidal efficacy were shown as follows.

The ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated was determined as the ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated=(remaining plant weight in treated plot/remaining plant weight in non-treated plot)×100.

    ______________________________________                                                      Ratio of remaining plant                                                       weight to non-treated (%)                                         ______________________________________                                         Herbicidal efficacy                                                            0               81-100                                                         1              61-80                                                           2              41-60                                                           3              21-40                                                           4               1-20                                                           5               0                                                              Phytotoxicity                                                                  to corn                                                                        0              100                                                             1              95-99                                                           2              90-94                                                           3              80-89                                                           4               0-79                                                           ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE 30                                     __________________________________________________________________________                 Dosage of                                                                           Herbicide                                                     herbicide                                                                           Active active                                                                              efficacy                                                      Example                                                                             ingredient                                                                            ingredient                                                                          large                                                                               barnyard                                                                            green                                                                              cockle-                                                                            velvet-                                                                            slender                                                                             phytotoxicity                      No.  of herbicide                                                                          (g/hectare)                                                                         crabgrass                                                                           grass                                                                               foxtail                                                                            bur leaf                                                                               amaranth                                                                            to corn                            __________________________________________________________________________     7    Comp. No. 1                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  8    Comp. No. 2                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  9    Comp. No. 3                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  62   Comp. No. 4                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  63   Comp. No. 5                                                                           100  5    5    4   5   5   5    0                                  64   Comp. No. 6                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  65   Comp. No. 7                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  66   Comp. No. 8                                                                           100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  67   Comp. No. 9                                                                           100  4    3    5   5   5   5    0                                  68   Comp. No. 10                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  69   Comp. No. 11                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  70   Comp. No. 12                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  71   Comp. No. 13                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  72   Comp. No. 14                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  73   Comp. No. 15                                                                          100  4    4    3   5   5   5    0                                  74   Comp. No. 16                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE 31                                     __________________________________________________________________________                 Dosage of                                                                           Herbicide                                                     herbicide                                                                           Active active                                                                              efficacy                                                      Example                                                                             ingredient                                                                            ingredient                                                                          large                                                                               barnyard                                                                            green                                                                              cockle-                                                                            velvet-                                                                            slender                                                                             phytotoxicity                      No.  of herbicide                                                                          (g/hectare)                                                                         crabgrass                                                                           grass                                                                               foxtail                                                                            bur leaf                                                                               amaranth                                                                            to corn                            __________________________________________________________________________     75   Comp. No. 17                                                                          100  5    5    4   5   5   5    0                                  76   Comp. No. 18                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  77   Comp. No. 19                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  78   Comp. No. 20                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  79   Comp. No. 21                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  80   Comp. No. 22                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  81   Comp. No. 23                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  82   Comp. No. 24                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  83   Comp. No. 25                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  84   Comp. No. 26                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  85   Comp. No. 27                                                                          100  3    3    1   5   5   5    0                                  86   Comp. No. 28                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   5   5    0                                  87   Comp. No. 29                                                                          100  5    5    5   5   2   5    0                                  91   Comp. No. 30                                                                          100  5    5    4   5   4   5    0                                  92   Comp. No. 31                                                                          100  5    5    3   5   5   5    0                                  93   Comp. No. 32                                                                          100  4    5    1   2   5   5    0                                  94   Comp. No. 33                                                                          100  5    5    3   5   4   5    0                                  Comp.                                                                               Comp. A                                                                               100  1    2    4   1   5   3    0                                  Ex. 5                                                                          Comp.                                                                               Comp. B                                                                               300  1    1    1   2   0   0    0                                  Ex. 6                                                                          __________________________________________________________________________

Tables 26 to 31 clearly show that the herbicides containing pyrazole derivatives of the formula (I), provided by the present invention, can control a wide range of paddy field and upland field weeds at low dosages without causing phytoxicity to paddy rice and corn.

(11) Preparation of herbicide containing pyrazole compound of the formula (XI)

97 Parts by weight of talc (trade name: Zeaklite) as a carrier, 1.5 parts by weight of alkylarylsulfonic acid (trade name: Neoplex, supplied by Kao-Atlas K. K.) as a surfactant and 1.5 parts by weight of a nonionic and anionic surfactant (trade name: Sorpol 800A, supplied by Toho Chemical Co., Ltd.) were uniformly pulverized and mixed to prepare a carrier for a wettable powder.

90 Parts by weight of the above carrier and 10 parts by weight of one of compounds of formula (XI) of the present invention obtained in the above Preparation Examples (or 10 parts by weight of the following Compound (C) for Herbicide Comparative Example) were uniformly pulverized and mixed to obtain a herbicide.

Compound (C) used in Herbicide Comparative Example is Compound No. 66 in PCT/JP93/00274 (WO93/18031), and has the following structure. ##STR120##

(12) Biological test (Submergence soil treatment test) A 1/15,500-are porcelain pot was filled with paddy field soil, and seeds of barnyardgrass and umbrella plant were sown in a surface layer of the soil, and paddy rice at the 2.5-leaf stage was transplanted.

Then, a diluted solution of a predetermined amount of the herbicide prepared in the above (11) was uniformly sprayed onto the water surface at the time of germination of the weeds, and then the pot was allowed to stand in a greenhouse while water was properly sprayed.

Twenty days after the treatment with the herbicide solution, the herbicidal efficacy and phytotoxicity to paddy rice were inspected, and Table 32 shows the results. The dosage of the herbicide is shown as an amount of the effective ingredient per 10 ares. Further, air-dried weights were measured, and the phytotoxicity to paddy rice and the herbicidal efficacy were shown as follows.

    ______________________________________                                                      Ratio of remaining plant                                                       weight to non-treated (%)                                         ______________________________________                                         Herbicidal efficacy                                                            0               81-100                                                         1              61-80                                                           2              41-60                                                           3              21-40                                                           4               1-20                                                           5               0                                                              Phytotoxicity                                                                  to paddy rice                                                                  0              100                                                             1              95-99                                                           2              90-94                                                           3              80-89                                                           4               0-79                                                           ______________________________________                                    

The ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated was determined as the ratio of remaining plant weight to non-treated=(remaining plant weight in treated plot/remaining plant weight in non-treated plot)×100.

                  TABLE 32                                                         ______________________________________                                                         Dosage of                                                                               Herbicide                                             herbicide       active   efficacy    phytotoxicity                             Example                                                                               Comp.    ingredient                                                                              barnyard                                                                              umbrella                                                                              to paddy                                No.    No.      (g/10a)  glass  plant  rice                                    ______________________________________                                         101    52       1        5      5      0                                       102    53       3        5      5      0                                       103    54       3        5      5      0                                       104    55       3        5      5      0                                       105    56       3        5      5      0                                       106    57       3        5      5      0                                       107    58       1        5      5      0                                       108    59       3        5      5      0                                       Comp.  (C)      3        5      5      4                                       Ex. 11          1        2      3      0                                       ______________________________________                                    

Table 32 clearly shows that the compound of the present invention can completely control barnyardgrass and umbrella plant at a low dosage without causing phytotoxicity to paddy rice.

For reference purpose, Preparation Example of the production of a starting material for the production of the compound of the formula (I) of the present invention will be described below.

Preparation Example of Starting Material!

Preparation of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl)carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide (see FIG. 4)

(1) 3.0 Grams (12 mmol) of 5-methyl-6-bromothiochroman-4-one and 1.9 g (23 mmol) of O-methylhydroxylamine hydrochloride were refluxed in a solvent mixture of 10 ml of ethanol and 10 ml of pyridine under heat for 30 minutes. The solvents were distilled off under reduced pressure, 50 ml of 5% hydrochloric acid was added, and a formed solid was recovered by filtration, washed with water and then dried to give 3.2 g (yield 93%) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-bromothiochroman.

(2) 1.1 Grams (46 mmol) of magnesium was dispersed in 10 ml of THF, and 2.2 g (20 mmol) of ethyl bromide was dropwise added under nitrogen current. The mixture was allowed to react for 10 minutes, and then a THF solution of 2.9 g (10 mmol) of the 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-bromothiochroman obtained in the above (1) was gradually added at room temperature. The mixture was refluxed for 3 hours and then cooled to room temperature, and carbon dioxide gas was bubbled in for 1 hour. To the reaction mixture was added 5% hydrochloric acid, and the mixture was extracted with ether. An ether layer was extracted with a 5% potassium carbonate aqueous solution, and an aqueous layer was neutralized with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The neutralization product was extracted with ethyl acetate, and the extract was washed with a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution. The washed extract was dried over sodium sulfate, and then the solvent was distilled off to give 1.6 g (yield 63%) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methylthiochroman-6-carboxylic acid.

(3) 1.0 Gram (4.0 mmol) of the 4-methoxyimino-5-methylthiochroman-6-carboxylic acid obtained in the above (2) was reacted with 1.3 g (12 mmol) of a 30% hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution in 5 ml of acetic acid at 100° C. for 1 hour. Ethyl acetate was added to the reaction product, and the mixture was washed with a saturated sodium chloride aqueous solution and then dried over sodium sulfate. The solvent was distilled off to give 1.1 g (yield 97%) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methylthiochroman-6-carboxylic acid-1,1-dioxide.

(4) 0.9 Gram (3.2 mmol) of the 4-methoxyimino-5-methylthiochroman-6-carboxylic acid-1,1-dioxide and 0.44 g (3.9 mmol) of 1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol were dissolved in 5 ml of t-amyl alcohol, and 0.81 g (3.9 mmol) of DCC(dicyclohexyl-carbodiimide) was added at room temperature. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, then, 0.74 g (5.4 mmol) of potassium carbonate was added, and the mixture was allowed to react at 90° C. for 8 hours. After the reaction, the solvent was distilled off, ethyl acetate was added, and the mixture was extracted with a 5% potassium carbonate aqueous solution. An aqueous layer was neutralized with concentrated hydrochloric acid, and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with a saturated sodium hydroxide aqueous solution, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated to give 0.88 g (yield 72%) of 4-methoxyimino-5-methyl-6-(1-ethyl-5-hydroxypyrazol-4-yl) carbonylthiochroman-1,1-dioxide.

The result of the measurement thereof by NMR (ppm, solvent: deutero DMSO, internal standard; tetramethylsilane) was as follows.

1.28 (3H, t) 2.58 (3H, s) 3.1-3.7 (4H, m)

4.02 (3H, s) 3.0-4.2 (2H, m)

7.5-8.0 (2h, m) 7.82 (1H, s)

As explained above, the present invention provides pyrazol derivatives and herbicides containing them as an active ingredient, which are free of phytotoxicity to paddy rice and corn and can control a wide range of paddy field and upland field weeds at a low dosage. 

We claim:
 1. A pyrazole compound of the formula (I), ##STR121## wherein R¹ is a C₁ -C₆ alkyl group, each of R², X¹ and X² is independently a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, R³ is hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, m is 0 or 1, R⁴ is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group or a group of the formula, ##STR122## wherein Y is a halogen atom, nitro, a C₁ -C₄ alkoxy group or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group, and n is an integer of 0 to 3, A¹ is ##STR123## in which each of R⁵ and R⁶ is independently hydrogen or a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group and p is 0 or an integer of 1 to
 4. 2. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein R¹ is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group.
 3. The pyrazole compound of claim 2, wherein R¹ is methyl or ethyl.
 4. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein each of R², X¹ and X² is independently methyl or ethyl.
 5. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein R³ is hydrogen or methyl.
 6. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein, when m is 1, X² is substituted on the 8-position of a thiochroman ring.
 7. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is a C₁ -C₄ alkyl group.
 8. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein R⁴ is the group of the formula, ##STR124## in which Y is chlorine, fluorine, nitro, methyl or methoxy.
 9. The pyrazole compound of claim 1, wherein A¹ is the formula of ##STR125## and is --CH₂ --.
 10. A herbicide containing, as an active ingredient, the pyrazole compound as recited in claim
 1. 11. The herbicide of claim 10, wherein the herbicide further contains at least one substance selected from the group consisting of a pesticide, a fungicide, a plant growth regulator and a fertilizer. 